Wii Music out in Japan this October, not subject to the core gamer tax

Grab your musical dog suit. Wii Music is coming out in Japan on October 16 for 5,800 yen ($55). With the depreciation of the dollar this sounds more expensive than a regularly priced Wii game in North America. However, Nintendo of Japan charges 6,800 yen ($64) for core releases like the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Fatal Frame 4. It appears there are three price points in Japan. The 5,800 yen price point seems like it’s used for games that have a broader reach.

In Japan, Nintendo charges 4,800 yen ($45) is for “casual” games like Wii Sports, Wii Play, and Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree. Most games cost 5,800 yen ($55) in Japan. Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Kart, and Mario Party 8 were sold at this price. First party games like Super Smash Brothers Melee, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Battalion Wars, and Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn get bumped up to 6,800 yen ($64). Families are likely to pick up games like Super Mario Galaxy and Wii Music, but The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is a title aimed at veteran gamers. Most of the games published by Nintendo of Japan that specifically target the core gamer demographic cost 1,000 yen ($9.50) more than the middle of the road 5,800 yen price for everyone.

Images courtesy of Nintendo.